Converse University receives $10K donation from Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation
January 8, 2025
Feeding the Hungry grant addresses food insecurity; supports nutrition education
Converse University has received $10,000 from the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation to restore hope and help rebuild after Hurricane Helene devastated the region in September 2024. This disaster relief grant provides financial assistance to community partners, like Converse, who have played a vital role in helping those affected by the storm.
The Foundation granted the University $1,500 in 2023. Converse Director of Community Engagement and University Chaplain Eliza Smith DeBevoise was “overwhelmed with appreciation” by the generosity of this year’s funding. Hurricane Helene not only downed 19 trees on campus, but also caused flooding in the University’s Valkyrie Supply basic needs hub, which aims to reduce food insecurity and serves as a one-stop shop for food and hygiene items for students. This campus-wide resource is sustained through donations and monetary gifts.
“In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, our campus community has been eager to direct its energy into a place of service,” said Rev. DeBevoise, who oversees Valkyrie Supply. “As we work to repair the damage on campus, we cannot thank the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation enough for committing their support to Converse and our students experiencing food insecurity.”
These funds will support long-term Hurricane Helene recovery efforts and assist in rebuilding, repairing and restoring what was damaged or lost. This grant funding builds upon the foundation’s year-round commitment to address food insecurity by increasing access to nutritious food and supporting nutritional education initiatives.
The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation is committed to supporting families facing food insecurity across its 10-state footprint. Established in 2001, the foundation provides financial support for programs and organizations dedicated to feeding local neighbors in the communities it serves. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded more than $22.8 million in grants.
About The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation
The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Food Lion, based in Salisbury, N.C. Established in 2001, the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation provides financial support for programs and organizations dedicated to eliminating hunger. The charitable foundation has provided more than $18.1 million in grant funding, helping to nourish communities with fresh food for backpack programs, Kids Café’s, and other hunger-relief programs as well as funding for long-term programs to help shorten the lines at food banks. The charitable foundation partners with Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief agency, in addition to local food agencies serving the 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states in which Food Lion operates. For more information, visit www.foodlion.com/pages/food-lion-feeds.
About Food Lion
Food Lion is an omnichannel grocery retailer committed to nourishing its neighbors. More than 82,000 associates across 1,100+ stores deliver an easy, fresh and affordable shopping experience throughout 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states. With a focus on hunger relief, Food Lion is a pioneer in food rescue. In 2014, Food Lion Feeds was created and has since donated more than 1.2 billion meals to those who are food insecure. The retailer has committed to donate 1.5 billion meals by 2025. Founded and based in Salisbury, N.C., since 1957, Food Lion is a company of Ahold Delhaize USA, the U.S. division of Zaandam-based Ahold Delhaize. For more information, visit foodlion.com.
About Converse University
Converse University empowers students to become transformative leaders who see clearly, decide wisely, and act justly. Converse was founded in 1889 by citizens of Spartanburg, SC, who aimed to create an educational experience for women, and in fall 2020 it welcomed its first undergraduate co-educational incoming class. The University encompasses the School of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the School of Business & Data Science, the School of the Arts, The School of Education, The Graduate School, and the Converse College for Women. Converse students experience deep scholarship, transformative mentorship, experiential learning, and wonderful support for and belief in each other. Through this unique formula, Converse is a creator of opportunity for its students through a personalized education that also includes the professional and technical skills graduates need to be successful in their careers. For more information, visit www.converse.edu.
